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Taxis and their services

There are four classes of taxi in Northern Ireland: A, B, C, and D. The taxi class decides how that taxi can be used. Below you can find out how to recognise a taxi's class and what each class can do. Never use an unlicensed taxi.

Class A taxis

These taxis will have:

a roof sign, coloured yellow to both the front and back

taxi plates on the front and back of roof signs

signs in the front windscreen and both rear passenger windows

a taximeter and printer fitted

a taximeter fare card prominently displayed

Outside the Belfast Zone, these taxis can be hailed, pre-booked, and stand at taxi stands.

Within the Belfast Zone, these taxis can be pre-booked, and can be hailed from midnight until 6.00 am every Friday and Saturday night, and on public holidays.

Class B taxis

These taxis will have:

a roof sign, coloured white to the front and yellow to the back

taxi plates with a wheelchair accessible logo on the front and back of roof signs

signs in the front windscreen and both rear passenger windows

a taximeter and printer fitted

a taximeter fare card prominently displayed

These taxis will be wheelchair accessible and can be hailed, pre-booked, and stand at taxi stands.

Class C taxis

Class C taxis can only be used on a pre-booked basis, booked at an operating centre and must carry details of their booking in the taxi during the journey.

They cannot be hailed and cannot be used on taxi ranks.

Examples of Class C taxis are vehicles used for chauffeur services, weddings, funerals, and courtesy transport.

These taxis must not display a roof sign or advertise as a taxi service, but must display a sign in the front windscreen.

Class D taxis

These taxis are licensed to operate along set routes and are permitted to charge the passengers separate fares. Taxis operating this service can only do so under a Department for Infrastructure permit.

These taxis can also be pre-booked for executive or tour services; they can also provide services under contract for the education and health authorities.

Class D taxis do not need to display roof signs, but must display internal signs on the front windscreen and rear windows.

Taxi fares

There is information on the page below about what fares you should be charged when using a taxi of any class:

Making sure your taxi is legal

Don't use a taxi if:

the vehicle is not displaying the appropriate taxi licence signs or plates

the vehicle is in a state of disrepair

the driver has no ID badge - licensed taxi drivers should always wear this badge showing their licence number (the only time when this is not required is when the taxi is being used for a wedding or a funeral)

the driver appears to be under the influence of alcohol

Always carry the telephone number or have downloaded the app of a taxi company when you go out.

Taxi availability

There will be increased availability in Belfast at peak times.

All taxis with roof signs can be hailed in Belfast from midnight until 6.00 am every Friday and Saturday night, and on public holidays.

Hailing a taxi

Outside Belfast, Class A taxis can be hailed on the street at anytime.

Inside the Belfast Zone, Class A taxis can be hailed:

on Friday and Saturday nights from midnight until 6.00 am

from midnight the day before a public holiday until 6.00 am

from midnight on the public holiday until 6.00 am the day after the holiday